Hawaii’s Big Island

Key Insights and Trends

Phoenix Stout

2025-12-15

Overview

Hawaii’s Big Island

  • Largest Hawaiian Island
  • 4,028 square miles
  • 206,400 residents (2023)
  • Active volcanic zones
  • Diverse microclimates

Analysis Focus

  1. Demographics
  2. Climate
  3. Economics
  4. Natural Disasters

Executive Summary

  • Population: Growing 4.9% since 2015, but aging rapidly
  • Economy: Tourism-dependent with $70,200 median income
  • Climate: Warming trends, extreme heat days tripled
  • Hazards: $800M in volcanic damage (2018), ongoing tsunami risk

Demographics

Population Growth

Aging Population

Key Trends

  • Median age: 38.2 → 40.5
  • Seniors (65+): 17.2% → 21.1%
  • Youth (<18): 21.5% → 19.3%

Implications

  • Healthcare demands ↑
  • School enrollment ↓
  • Workforce challenges

Cultural Diversity

Climate

Monthly Patterns

Climate Change Signals

Economics

Income Growth

Unemployment Recovery

Industry Breakdown

Tourism Dominance

  • 28.5% of jobs
  • Avg wage: $42,000
  • Shock vulnerability

Higher-Paying Sectors

  • Healthcare: $62,000
  • Government: $58,000
  • Construction: $52,000

Natural Disasters

Disaster Impact

Volcanic Activity

Tsunami Risk

Population at Risk

Zone Population
Evacuation Zone 12,000
High Risk 35,000
Medium Risk 58,000
Low Risk 101,400

Total High/Evac: 47,000 (23% of population)

Risk Factors

  • Pacific Ring of Fire
  • Low-lying coastal areas
  • Limited evacuation routes
  • 24/7 warning system active

Recent Events

  • 2011: Japan tsunami
  • Regular warning drills
  • Updated evacuation maps

Key Findings

Synthesis

Demographic Challenge - Aging population (21% seniors) → healthcare pressures - Declining youth population → workforce concerns

Economic Vulnerability - Tourism dependence (28.5%) → shock sensitivity - Strong recovery post-COVID → resilience

Climate Concerns - Clear warming trend (+2.3°F) - Extreme heat days tripled → adaptation needed

Persistent Hazards - Active volcanoes ($800M+ damages) - 47,000 in tsunami risk zones

Strategic Priorities

Short Term

  1. Disaster preparedness
  2. Climate adaptation
  3. Tourism recovery support
  4. Healthcare capacity

Long Term

  1. Economic diversification
  2. Sustainable development
  3. Infrastructure resilience
  4. Demographic planning

Conclusions

Strengths

  • Economic recovery
  • Cultural diversity
  • Natural beauty
  • Tourism appeal

Challenges

  • Climate change
  • Natural hazards
  • Aging population
  • Economic concentration

Phoenix Stout

MA615 Final Project

December 15, 2025

GitHub Repository